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Thamesmead man jailed for Plumstead £1,500 bus robbery on 82-year-old

A Thamesmead man has been jailed after robbing an 82-year-old man of £1,500 cash by dragging him off a Plumstead bus and along the ground.

John O'Rourke, 41, of Lytham Close, was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to robbery. He will be on extended licence for five years.

The victim, who died two months later, was targeted after he boarded the route 53 bus towards Plumstead at Woolwich New Road on September 9 last year.

He was seated on the lower deck when O’Rourke, who had got on the bus at the same time, came behind him and tried to steal his wallet from his shirt pocket.

The pensioner struggled and O’Rourke dragged him off the bus and on to the ground – telling members of the public he was actually helping the victim.

He then hauled the elderly man into Waverley Crescent, Plumstead, and mugged him before leaving him on the floor.

O’Rourke was tracked after Greenwich PCSO Pan Psarias recognised him from CCTV footage at the scene.

Detective Constable Stephanie Walker, of Greenwich police, said: "O'Rourke targeted a vulnerable, frail man and did not care about the hurt or fright he caused him.

“He subjected the victim to a prolonged attack and did not stop until he finally stole his cash.

“Sadly the victim died just two months later and whilst there are no links between his death and the robbery, I have witnessed first-hand the damage caused by this crime and how it affected the victim's confidence."

This little twunt needs a kick in the face every day for seven years.the wall

This little twunt needs a kick in the face every day for seven years.

Score: 6

Techvedic
1:13pm Tue 1 Apr 14

It's sad to know that despite carrying a healthy physique, John O'Rourke, resorted on crimes. The imprisonment of 7 years is too low to do justice with the demise. (Editor, Techvedic)

It's sad to know that despite carrying a healthy physique, John O'Rourke, resorted on crimes. The imprisonment of 7 years is too low to do justice with the demise. (Editor, Techvedic)Techvedic

It's sad to know that despite carrying a healthy physique, John O'Rourke, resorted on crimes. The imprisonment of 7 years is too low to do justice with the demise. (Editor, Techvedic)

Score: 7

Wiff180
1:32pm Tue 1 Apr 14

Why was the old fella walking round wit £ 1,500 on him ? I am half his age and I wouldn't dream of doing something like that - especially not in Plumstead.

Why was the old fella walking round wit £ 1,500 on him ? I am half his age and I wouldn't dream of doing something like that - especially not in Plumstead.Wiff180

Why was the old fella walking round wit £ 1,500 on him ? I am half his age and I wouldn't dream of doing something like that - especially not in Plumstead.

Score: -35

PaulErith
2:14pm Tue 1 Apr 14

Wiff180 wrote…

Why was the old fella walking round wit £ 1,500 on him ? I am half his age and I wouldn't dream of doing something like that - especially not in Plumstead.

Things is, that isn't really the point. One should be able to walk around with that much cash and not get robbed.

[quote][p][bold]Wiff180[/bold] wrote:
Why was the old fella walking round wit £ 1,500 on him ? I am half his age and I wouldn't dream of doing something like that - especially not in Plumstead.[/p][/quote]Things is, that isn't really the point. One should be able to walk around with that much cash and not get robbed.PaulErith

Wiff180 wrote…

Why was the old fella walking round wit £ 1,500 on him ? I am half his age and I wouldn't dream of doing something like that - especially not in Plumstead.

Things is, that isn't really the point. One should be able to walk around with that much cash and not get robbed.

Score: 37

The Fozziest of Bears
3:18pm Tue 1 Apr 14

The lags inside will be glad to get a pretty boy like him come and join them.

Plenty of evening entertainment for them. He will walk like his bottom is chewing a toffee after 7 years in there. HA HA

Don't forget, even crims have elderly relatives on the outside.

The lags inside will be glad to get a pretty boy like him come and join them.
Plenty of evening entertainment for them. He will walk like his bottom is chewing a toffee after 7 years in there. HA HA
Don't forget, even crims have elderly relatives on the outside.The Fozziest of Bears

The lags inside will be glad to get a pretty boy like him come and join them.

Plenty of evening entertainment for them. He will walk like his bottom is chewing a toffee after 7 years in there. HA HA

Don't forget, even crims have elderly relatives on the outside.

Score: 18

Joelo
4:32pm Tue 1 Apr 14

If only we knew that prison would be a punishment......i honestly do not think it is! he will have his every need catered too inside.

Scum.

If only we knew that prison would be a punishment......i honestly do not think it is! he will have his every need catered too inside.
Scum.Joelo

If only we knew that prison would be a punishment......i honestly do not think it is! he will have his every need catered too inside.

Scum.

Score: 11

paulbexleyheath
7:06pm Tue 1 Apr 14

scum bag piece of ****

scum bag piece of ****paulbexleyheath

scum bag piece of ****

Score: 12

Sidcup100
7:57am Fri 4 Apr 14

Low life scumbag get a f--king job your self and earn your own money .lets hope someone will show him right from wronge the hard way 😒

Low life scumbag get a f--king job your self and earn your own money .lets hope someone will show him right from wronge the hard way 😒Sidcup100

Low life scumbag get a f--king job your self and earn your own money .lets hope someone will show him right from wronge the hard way 😒

Score: 3

tellmethisdoesn'twork
1:27pm Fri 4 Apr 14

Joelo wrote…

If only we knew that prison would be a punishment......i honestly do not think it is! he will have his every need catered too inside.

Scum.

I think it will be the other way round...
I think his fellow inmates will have their every need catered for!!!!

[quote][p][bold]Joelo[/bold] wrote:
If only we knew that prison would be a punishment......i honestly do not think it is! he will have his every need catered too inside.
Scum.[/p][/quote]I think it will be the other way round...
I think his fellow inmates will have their every need catered for!!!!tellmethisdoesn'twork

Joelo wrote…

If only we knew that prison would be a punishment......i honestly do not think it is! he will have his every need catered too inside.

Scum.

I think it will be the other way round...
I think his fellow inmates will have their every need catered for!!!!

Score: 1

sarfflondonbird
1:13pm Sun 6 Apr 14

the wall wrote…

This little twunt needs a kick in the face every day for seven years.

For once, I agree with you. But then again, to say something on N,.S, like this goes against the grain with some posters on here doesn't it? You must not correct violence with violence attitude.
Personally, I am now beginning to think this is the only way to deal with these kind of thugs.

[quote][p][bold]the wall[/bold] wrote:
This little twunt needs a kick in the face every day for seven years.[/p][/quote]For once, I agree with you. But then again, to say something on N,.S, like this goes against the grain with some posters on here doesn't it? You must not correct violence with violence attitude.
Personally, I am now beginning to think this is the only way to deal with these kind of thugs.sarfflondonbird

the wall wrote…

This little twunt needs a kick in the face every day for seven years.

For once, I agree with you. But then again, to say something on N,.S, like this goes against the grain with some posters on here doesn't it? You must not correct violence with violence attitude.
Personally, I am now beginning to think this is the only way to deal with these kind of thugs.

Score: 1

sarfflondonbird
1:17pm Sun 6 Apr 14

Wiff180 wrote…

Why was the old fella walking round wit £ 1,500 on him ? I am half his age and I wouldn't dream of doing something like that - especially not in Plumstead.

Maybe being of 'old school', and quite possibly, a friend of wr9, he may not believe, like or trust banking and especially by computer etc. Maybe he was on his way to pay off for something and that ar5e w1pe got a whiff of it.
Seven years by the way is not long enough for what this cont did to that poor man. What is wrong with the justice system in this country? It's way, way too soft on criminals.

[quote][p][bold]Wiff180[/bold] wrote:
Why was the old fella walking round wit £ 1,500 on him ? I am half his age and I wouldn't dream of doing something like that - especially not in Plumstead.[/p][/quote]Maybe being of 'old school', and quite possibly, a friend of wr9, he may not believe, like or trust banking and especially by computer etc. Maybe he was on his way to pay off for something and that ar5e w1pe got a whiff of it.
Seven years by the way is not long enough for what this cont did to that poor man. What is wrong with the justice system in this country? It's way, way too soft on criminals.sarfflondonbird

Wiff180 wrote…

Why was the old fella walking round wit £ 1,500 on him ? I am half his age and I wouldn't dream of doing something like that - especially not in Plumstead.

Maybe being of 'old school', and quite possibly, a friend of wr9, he may not believe, like or trust banking and especially by computer etc. Maybe he was on his way to pay off for something and that ar5e w1pe got a whiff of it.
Seven years by the way is not long enough for what this cont did to that poor man. What is wrong with the justice system in this country? It's way, way too soft on criminals.

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